In the office, Johnny kept feeling like he’d forgotten something.


    His gaze swept across the desk andnded on a file. He suddenly remembered Silvia’s resume.


    He had meant to ask Aria how she handled it, but got sidetracked by her “habit of picking up people” andpletely forgot.


    Johnny directly called Aria.


    On the other end, her cool and clear voice answered, “What is it?”


    He asked, “Forgot to ask you about Silvia applying. How did you handle it?” Johnny scratched his head. “Should we reject her?”


    “That’s a question for the interviewers. Why ask me?” Aria replied coolly.


    Johnny immediately understood. Fair treatment, regardless of background or identity.


    If Silvia had the skills, she could stay at the Stars Group.


    In the car. Owen fastened his seatbelt, hand resting on the steering wheel. He turned his head and casually asked, “So… who else has Madelyn picked up before?”


    “No one.” Aria buckled her seatbelt. “Johnny exaggerates.”


    Owen softly hummed in acknowledgment and didn’t press further.


    The car fell into silence, broken only by asional prompts from the navigation system.


    Aria was focused on messaging Derek, not noticing the sidelong nces Owen kept stealing.


    Aria: [Know anyone skilled in neuromorphicputing?]


    Derek: [Patrick’s got it, and so does his crew. What’s up?]


    Aria: [The Stars Group’s got a project short on people. We need someone or a team familiar with neuromorphicputing. Know anyone reliable? Or would you guys be interested?]


    Derek: [Let me ask Patrick.]


    Not long after, Patrick reached out to Aria directly. She sent over the project brief.


    Patrick replied hesitantly: [You still trust us after everything?]


    Aria knew exactly what Patrick was referring to.


    That leaked sketch hade from his team. Not everyone under him could be trusted.


    Aria: [You can screen people. It’s not a merger, just cooperation.]


    Patrick: [This is… a huge project. I need time to think.]


    Aria: [Ok.]


    By the time they finished chatting, the car had arrived at Mayen Garden.


    10


    Out of habit, Aria turned right after getting out. Owen reached out and gently grabbed her wrist. “Where are you going?”


    She met his gaze, and caught a wounded look in Owen’s eyes.


    Only then did she remember. She had already moved in with him.


    “I forgot,” Aria admitted.


    Owen didn’t let go of her hand. “It’s fine. Give it time, you’ll remember.”


    (+23)


    Inside, he bent down to take out a pair of slippers and ced them at her feet. Looking up, he asked, “Can I help you take off your shoes?”


    Aria instinctively moved her foot back. “That’s not necessary.”


    Owen stood upright, changed into his own slippers, and exined, “I saw other couples do that.”


    “Where’d you see that?” Aria walked in.


    “Forums,” Owen replied.


    Aria turned her head, surprised. “You actually browse that kind of forum?”


    Following her into the bathroom to wash up, Owen’s voice was especially clear over the running water. “Why wouldn’t I? I have a girlfriend now.”


    He paused, then added pointedly, “And I don’t randomly pick up men to bring home.”


    Wiping her hands, Aria gave him a look. “I told you that never happened.”


    Owen said, “I didn’t say it was you.”


    She couldn’t be bothered to argue and went to change her clothes.


    Owen watched her back, even more sulky now.


    In the study, Aria sat on the couch reading, but she could constantly feel a subtle gaze on her.


    She looked up. Owen quickly turned away. His expression was calm as if he hadn’t just been staring.


    She nced over and teased, “You keep looking at me. Why?”


    “Wasn’t looking,” Owen said.


    Even Aria, who was usually slow to catch on to these things, realized it now. “You’re still thinking about what Johnny said?”


    After a long moment, Owen finally let out a muffled “Yes.”